It is questionable whether or not retrial after a hung jury is Constitutional. Nonetheless, in the United States today, it is generally permitted. If a mistrial occurs due to a hung jury, the prosecutor may decide to retry the case.
History: Federal Penitentiary. The army transferred Alcatraz to the civilian Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in 1934. The BOP quickly converted the aging military prison in to a maximum-security, state-of-the-art civilian penitentiary. Alcatraz would shortly become the most famous federal prison in United States history. Alcatraz was designed to serve as Americaâs first maximum-security, minimum-privilege penitentiary, what is today referred to as a âsuper maxâ institution. From 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz housed some of Americaâs most notorious offenders, escape artists, gang leaders and general trouble makers.
From November 20, 1969, to June 11, 1971, Native Americans took over and held Alcatraz Island as Indian Land. The Occupation of Alcatraz Island was led by the Native American group, Indians of All Tribes (IAT). The take-over lasted 14-months and ended when the Indians were forcibly removed by the federal government.